Jews Leaving France

French anti-Semitism and French aliyah skyrocket on parallel tracks.

Against the backdrop of studies revealing rising anti-Semitism both in France and across all of Europe, as well as one particularly brutal attack in Paris last month, French Jews are flocking to Israel.

On March 30, the Jewish Agency for Israel released figures showing that aliyah from France increased dramatically over the first two months of 2014. In January and February alone, 854 French olim (immigrants) arrived in Israel, compared to 274 over the same period last year, representing a 312-percent increase.

Pictured is David (identified only by his first name), a 59-year-old Jewish teacher who was severely beaten in Paris last month. The attackers drew a swastika on David's chest. Credit: David via The Algemeiner.

Shay Felber – the Jewish Agency’s deputy director-general for community services and resident expert on France, who made aliyah from France with his parents in the 1970s – cites three main reasons for the current trend. Two are anti-Semitism and the difficult economic situation in France. But from a more positive perspective, the high level of Jewish education and Zionistic identity prevalent in the French Jewish community is also leading to an upswing in immigration to Israel, Felber tells JNS.org.

In Paris during March, a 59-year-old Jewish teacher was subjected to anti-Semitic slurs and then severely beaten by a group of young men identified as being “Maghreb.” The men proceeded to draw a swastika on the chest of their victim with a marker, and vowed they would return to finish the job. No arrests have been made yet for that attack.

40 percent of all racist violence perpetrated in France targeted Jews who represent less than one percent of the population.

Felber believes that the current rise in anti-Semitic incidents and attacks in France is a direct result of the situation on “the street,” with many of the episodes being perpetrated by local Arabs and Muslims. Yet Felber stresses that the anti-Jewish sentiment is not French government policy, but that the government “is trying very hard to combat” anti-Semitism.

One recent study that reveals the worrisome realities for French Jewry is the 2013 report on anti-Semitism in France compiled by SPCJ, the security unit of France’s Jewish communities. According to the report, 423 anti-Semitic acts were recorded in the country in 2013 alone. The research also indicates that last year, 40 percent of all racist violence perpetrated in France targeted Jews. The report amplifies the ramifications of that statistic by explaining the trend from a proportionality perspective.

“Since Jews represent less than one percent of the French population, what this shows is that less than one percent of French citizens were the target of 40 percent of racist attacks perpetrated in the country,” says the report.

The document also states, “Since the year 2000 – and for 14 consecutive years – the number of anti-Semitic acts in France has been very high, about seven times higher than numbers recorded in the 1990s. During this period, six people were murdered because they were Jewish, including three young children.”

The report concludes that anti-Semitism in France “cannot be considered anymore as a temporary situation associated with the situation in the Middle-East; it is a structural problem that has not been fought as such and has not been halted yet.”

Gideon Behar, director of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department for Combating Anti-Semitism, tells JNS.org that while he is “concerned about the rising anti-Semitism in Europe, and it is something we are following very closely,” his office has not issued any travel advisories or warnings for France or any other European Union countries leading up to the current robust Passover holiday travel season.

Regarding aliyah – not only from France, but from Europe in general – being a result of rising anti-Semitism, Behar cites the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) November 2013 study. That study was based on a survey given to 5,847 Jews from EU member states, asking them about their own experiences and perceptions of discrimination, hate crime, and anti-Semitism.

Two-thirds of FRA respondents (66 percent) consider anti-Semitism to be a problem across the EU member states surveyed, while three-quarters of the respondents (76 percent) indicate that anti-Semitism has worsened over the past five years in the country where they live. Almost half (46 percent) of the respondents worry about becoming the victim of an anti-Semitic verbal insult or harassment in the next 12 months, while one-third (33 percent) fear a physical attack in the same period.

In the 12 months before the survey, 26 percent of all respondents reported experiencing an incident or multiple incidents involving verbal insult or harassment because they were Jewish, and 4 percent experienced physical violence or threats of violence. Seventy-five percent of respondents consider online anti-Semitism to be a problem in their country of residence, and almost three-quarters (73 percent) said that online anti-Semitism has increased over the last five years.

The Jewish Agency, meanwhile, recently unveiled a new government plan to encourage aliyah from France. Along with the Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption, the initiative is boosting the number of Jewish Agency shlichim (emissaries) in France, increasing marketing efforts, developing new immigrant absorption programs, and establishing a special committee headed by the director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office to remove obstacles to French aliyah.

The proposal also sets clear benchmarks for increasing the number of immigrants, seeking to double their numbers in the coming years. The plan was developed in consultation and cooperation with French Jewish organizations, both in France and in Israel. Other partners include the World Zionist Organization, the Israeli Ministry of Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs, and Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal, who are all are working together for the first time in order to strengthen French aliyah.

The Jewish Agency’s Felber says he is confident that based on the large aliyah figures for French Jews – he estimates that there have been 100,000-120,000 total olim from France to date – these new immigrants will also succeed in building their new lives in the Jewish state.

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Visitor Comments: 35

(23)
t,
January 14, 2015 12:20 AM

75 % tax on the rich in france the real deal

75% tax ont the richest in france? the rich abandoned france after that. guess the 75% tax is too much for the average unchosen few to make a connection. yeah you thought when the rich left youd make bank!$ not. you got jumped by the poor you tried to opress into the hands of your own lion. mypunsareepic

(22)
Annie,
January 12, 2015 6:13 AM

Some of the bigots do seem imagine that Jews have great power and influence-I wish. Barack Obama taking orders from a Jew ? Who is he ?

There simply isn't any safe place for Jews. America is not able to protect anyone from discrimination and hate crimes. It is also becoming a serious police state with our own citizens feeling the brunt of these forces. I would do anything I had to do to protect Jews but I am only one person. I do know that most Americans would do the same, but we still can't stop a small group wishing to do harm. This is the problem.

(20)
Aliyah2009,
April 18, 2014 7:35 AM

Elliott, it happens everywhere, not just France

While it may be a bit more prevalent in France, such acts can and will happen anywhere (i.e. Overland Pk, Kansas last week and Bulgaria last summer).

(19)
Anonymous,
April 18, 2014 3:06 AM

It's worse for Muslims in France

By most accounts, including this recent New Yorker article (http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2013/11/the-justice-minister-and-the-banana-how-racist-is-france.html), and this from the LA Times (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/21/world/la-fg-france-muslims-20100722), Jews take a back seat to Muslims and dark-skinned people when it comes to racism in France. Jews willing to leave the country, however, do have one big advantage -- better alternatives, including Israel.

(18)
Beverly Kurtin,
April 17, 2014 7:23 PM

I want to move to Israel but

It seems that Israel wants only the people who are wealthy to make Aliah. Part of me understands that, who needs more poor Jews? All I have is my Social Security, about $21,000 a year. I can't afford to fly to Israel, so that leaves me as an American Jew who is seeing the writing on the wall.My grandparents left Russia and Poland before the communist revolution. What scares the pants off of me is the Ukraine that is demanding that Jews do exactly what they did when the Nazis moved in: Register and list all property and pay $50 for the privilege of doing so.The United States is no longer a democratic Republic: The "Supreme Court" made that killing when they turned the country over to the Oligarchs. The Oligarchs are far right wingers; all it takes is a right-wing bunch to turn a country fascist.I want to get out of the United States BEFORE anything happens just as my grandparents left their countries before you know what hit the fan.Nefish 'b Nefish takes only people who have previously visited Israel, since I can't visit, I can't move. Catch 22 all over again.

Anonymous,
April 18, 2014 5:32 PM

Bigotry is the same on either side

Bigotry is bigotry - whether spewed against Jews or by them. As a Jew, I am embarrassed to read your bigoted remarks about about the "Supreme Court made that killing" and "Oligarchs are far right wingers". Do you think President Obama is a "far right wing oligarch"? You sound like the idiots that say the banks and media are controlled by a "cabal of Jews". They claim that "the Jew in the next room" orders Mr. Obama what to do.Jews are historic victims of bigotry. We have a special responsibility to speak out against bigotry - particularly when it comes from one of our own.

Amrak,
April 22, 2014 4:26 PM

the other side is not the same

Bigotry is indeed bigotry but as you stated "Jews have been historic VICTIMS of bigotry", therefore it's a false dichotomy to raise Jewish resentment of bigotry to a level of bigotry equal to the bigotry that has victimized Jews historically. Aspects of being victims of bigotry and being an aggressor bigot isn't the same although both can be achieved under the category of bigotry.

daniel,
April 20, 2014 2:13 AM

you can still make Aliyah

hi Beverly,

I read your comment, Your desire to come home is praiseworthy and you can for sure make Aliyah even if you are not wealthy. I am by no means wealthy at all, and I have been approved. People sometimes come with next to nothing, and with G-d's help make it work. You can apply for NBN financial aid, outside help as well ( I would be glad to fill you in on what I have been told to apply for aid. You are welcome to contact me. danielbrill278@hotmail.com), the Israeli Gov help initially as well, and your $21K is more than I have at this point, so please don't be deterred. Israel wants ALL her children back asap. You don't have to be a Jew living in america seeing the writing on the wall. You can take matters into your own hands and take the leap of faith and come home. you CAN move and NBN does take people that have never been before from what I understand, as they explain what to do with the forms in such a case, so that is not an obstacle as far as I know. A pilot trip is recommended , but not a must. Speak with them and they can help you. Pls G-d you come home very soon!! Hashem should help you!

chris,
April 20, 2014 10:33 AM

aliah

Beverly, I understand there are Jewish organizations that can help you make aliah. I would investigate all options ,including employment, or living on a kibbutz. Perhaps your local rabbi can help. My family fled Russia and Hungary. Trust in Hashem. There are those here in the USA who would stand with you.

Riv,
April 20, 2014 12:54 PM

Not true

You don't need to go through Nefesh bNefesh to make Aliyah. Do you think all of the Ethiopian immigrants had tons of money? If you're actually interested, contact the Jewish Agency for Israel. They will pay for your aliyah flight and give you a nice stipend and plenty of benefits for moving. I came to Israel as a broke 19-year old. Money isn't what they're interested in.

Anonymous,
April 24, 2014 8:52 AM

not true

the flight is free (one way) and you do not need a previous visit to Israel in order to make Aliyah. Call your local Shaliach from the Jewish Agency and they will explain everything.

Any European Jew with half a brain should understand that the Jewish future does NOT lie in Europe. Ideally, aliya to Israel should be a positive, voluntary act of "going up", a form of spiritual ascension, and not just a "running away" for security purposes. However, when His children refuse to do His Will of their opwn volition, or to respond to the signs and hints he sends, G-d uses His Mighty Arm to help move them along in a less pleasant manner. And by the way, this applies not only to European Jewry.... Come on home guys. Don't wait for your worlds to fall apart. This is the only place for a Jew to be.

(15)
Barbara Goldin,
April 17, 2014 3:37 PM

Jew Hating in France

if at all possible, do not travel to France. If you have family members there, maybe they can move to Israel or America-come to Austin, Texas!

(14)
Jeri,
April 17, 2014 3:23 PM

Time to go back home

I love my Jewish brother & Sisters,all over the world and I don't want them hurt.Our FATHER in HEAVEN is calling HIS children back home. My plead is that everyone return home asap

(13)
eugene mazzilli,
April 17, 2014 3:21 PM

Can't we see

Can't we see the plan that Hashem has for us? It is for us to see that we are not welcome in certain places and it is time for us to go home or to where we know we are truly loved. Time for us to wake up and not sit around as we did when Hitler came to power. We all thought that things would certainly get better then, as was said "how could this be happening in so cultured and intelligent a country as Germany" and they did not. Just as we now see things changing and so many governments seemingly powerless to do anything to stop the injustice and hate..we should either emigrate to the U.S. , Canada, the U.K. or Israel. Stop the wrist wringing and trying to figure it out, just do it. When these anti-Semitic countries wake up one day and we are gone, they then will realize that they made a terrible mistake. It does not get any better once anti-Semitism starts, it just gets worse. And when we think that all is good, i t (evil) has just gone underground because things got too hot on the surface. This is akin to the serpent. Evil is what he is and always will be, and when he feels threatened by goodness and the light, he goes underground, only to surface when things get quiet. Do not be afraid, do not be fooled, but make haste. Listen to the Scripture...

(12)
Anonymous,
April 17, 2014 2:54 PM

Message to Non Jews of France

History shows when its Jews are removed, in your case willingly, that country goes down the drain. Your country, France, has been going down the drain, but it will continue to do so, as your Jews, feeling unsafe, leave. Message to the Jews of France: get the [blank] out of that G-d forsaken country quickly.

(11)
Werner,
April 17, 2014 2:12 PM

anti-semitism in ( middle eastern) Australia

I am not Jewish, I received a gift from my niece in Tel Aviv. 3 TMax Design ( Made in Israel ) T shirts depicting IDF logo. It was quite an experience wearing one of those T Shirts whilst ordering a " Chicken Kebab". It all got quite ugly and very verbal, however it made me realize that anti-Semitism is alive and well in Australia.

(10)
Linda,
April 17, 2014 2:10 PM

It's time!

God is calling you home from around the world.

(9)
Gary Smith,
April 17, 2014 1:37 PM

evil destroys itself

To the degree that any country supports and encourages Jew bating and Jew killing to that degree that country is planting the seeds for its own demise. it has always been that way it will ever be that way with Germany being the prime example. In the meantime I would suggest davening, learning and a good dose of Krav Maga!

Avigal,
April 20, 2014 10:09 AM

Germany?

Germany was of course absolutely hammered to bits by the end of WWII, but has made an almost miraculous recovery and is now extremely strong and progressive - so not sure what you mean about its demise? Although I think it now has a growing and confident Jewish population (mostly Russian) so perhaps that bears out your claim - is that what you meant? Not challenging, just genuinely curious about how you would view the 'German post-war miracle'.

(8)
Pamela,
April 17, 2014 12:54 PM

if life goes the body will shrivel

IWhether we like it or not Jews are the source of blessing to every nation where they reside.If the french government continues to overlook this montrousity against jews and all jews leave the country, france will shrivel economically into chaos

(7)
Anonymous,
April 17, 2014 12:50 PM

Is the Moslem religion the problem?

France has an overriding philosophy that everyone is French. You can worship in private however you want, but in public you are French. Moslems probably can't handle that and bring in their own cultural dysfunctionality.

Perhaps the real problem is France's Moslem problem and how to deal with Moslems who reject a fundamental concept of being French..

(6)
Anonymous,
April 17, 2014 12:29 PM

Anti-Semitism .

It lay dormant for a while , now it is raising it's ugly head , we must be resolute and wise , we are faced with difficult times . Remember , we have a right to protect ourselves in any manner we see fit when the aggressor challenges us , if it means I live and they do not , that is tough luck .

Fortunately that has never happened where I am living , but I am acutely aware that history can repeat itself . We must not fear , but rather act proactively and with haste in such unavoidable situations .

I am making Aliya , not because of anti-semitism , but because I want to do so for my own personal reasons .I grant myself fortunate not to have been confronted by this type of issue ever , but if it did happen , well , I would take care of the aggressors with maximum force .It is sad we cannot get along instead of having divisions . I was in the Apartheid military in SA , I never ever faced any incidents with regards to anti-semitism .

I connect with anyone who shows honor , strong traits of character and most of all that they can be trusted . Not every gentile or Muslim is a killer of the Jewish people , it is a minority within these cultures who display such a fervor of activity .

(5)
Meira Shayna,
April 17, 2014 11:34 AM

So, what's new!

Anti-Semitism in France isn't new. It's not new anywhere, including the good ole USofA.

Hatred of Jews gets covered up for a short bit of time and then, like crocus in the Spring, comes right back! Too bad there isn't enough snow to freeze those people whose lives are so unhappy that they can't allow others to flourish!!

6,986 non-Jews just can't accept14 Jews

In case you don't know how I arrived at those numbers - just take all the unnecessary Zeros away.

7,000,000,000 total population on Earth.6,986 are non-Jews14 are Jews

(4)
Gavriel,
April 17, 2014 11:27 AM

do not be PC with this

Why use the word Mahgreb and not tell the whole truth that these were blacks from western Africa. Why does this PC stuff have to always skirt the facts when it is blacks envolved?

(3)
Elliott,
April 14, 2014 3:53 PM

What is this to me?

I'm not in France. This may or may not ever happen where I live. How should I respond, today, right now?

YehudahL,
April 16, 2014 8:53 AM

Make Al1yah asap - that's the only true response

Make Al1yah asap - that's the only true response.

Aliyah2009,
April 18, 2014 7:37 AM

Aliyah leads to additional housing shortages

If the Israeli government is going to market itself to Jews from affluent countries, it better start doing a better job of increasing the housing supply, otherwise even more people will be left behind and unable to afford housing.

(2)
Sheldon,
April 13, 2014 7:20 PM

Anti -semitism in France

Anti-semitism in France is actually easily understood. Jews hold to a credo of 'Never give in, never back down.' Thus, they hardly fit in with the rest of the French populace, for whom instant surrender is almost instinctive.

Jan Houwert,
April 17, 2014 1:09 PM

Anti-semitism in France c.q. Europe

Europeans are generally NOT anti-semitists, many Arabs and there are a lot of Arabs in Europe...

tom42,
April 17, 2014 6:01 PM

Quote from "that '70's Show" by Red re: french.

Kitty: Okay, well, the house is all set; Mr. and Mrs. Dubois should be here any minute. Red: Dubois? Kitty, I don't want Germans moving in here! Kitty: I think they're French. (laughs) Red: Yes, and if they buy the house, they'll give it up to the first German who knocks on the door!

Apryl,
April 17, 2014 6:20 PM

Not exactly that simplistic...

I have to admit a chuckle, though. In any hedonistic society, one who is willing to stand and be counted is seen as a threat (if it threatens personal pursuit of happiness.)

The article rightly states that 'tolerance' is the gov't. ideal, but as France welcomes more and more from the oppressed cultures (primarily north African muslims), respect for G-d's children diminishes.

Will we be reduced to animals? Such is the hedonistic behavior that seems to be on the increase in these sitations.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your G-d goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.

(1)
Anonymous,
April 13, 2014 5:20 PM

If..

...the statistics are true, then every Jew should think "forwarned is forearmed," and act accordingly.

I've been striving to get more into spirituality. But it seems that every time I make some progress, I find myself slipping right back to where I started. I'm getting discouraged and feel like a failure. Can you help?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Spiritual slumps are a natural part of spiritual growth. There is a cycle that people go through when at times they feel closer to God and at times more distant. In the words of the Kabbalists, it is "two steps forward and one step back." So although you feel you are slipping, know that this is a natural process. The main thing is to look at your overall progress (over months or years) and be able to see how far you've come!

This is actually God's ingenious way of motivating us further. The sages compare this to teaching a baby how to walk. When the parent is holding on, the baby shrieks with delight and is under the illusion that he knows how to walk. Yet suddenly, when the parent lets go, the child panics, wobbles and may even fall.

At such times when we feel spiritually "down," that is often because God is letting go, giving us the great gift of independence. In some ways, these are the times when we can actually grow the most. For if we can move ourselves just a little bit forward, we truly acquire a level of sanctity that is ours forever.

Here is a practical tool to help pull you out of the doldrums. The Sefer HaChinuch speaks about a great principle in spiritual growth: "The external awakens the internal." This means that although we may not experience immediate feelings of closeness to God, eventually, by continuing to conduct ourselves in such a manner, this physical behavior will have an impact on our spiritual selves and will help us succeed. (A similar idea is discussed by psychologists who say: "Smile and you will feel happy.")

That is the power of Torah commandments. Even if we may not feel like giving charity or praying at this particular moment, by having a "mitzvah" obligation to do so, we are in a framework to become inspired. At that point we can infuse that act of charity or prayer with all the meaning and lift it can provide. But if we'd wait until being inspired, we might be waiting a very long time.

May the Almighty bless you with the clarity to see your progress, and may you do so with joy.

In 1940, a boatload 1,600 Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's ovens was denied entry into the port of Haifa; the British deported them to the island of Mauritius. At the time, the British had acceded to Arab demands and restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The urgent plight of European Jewry generated an "illegal" immigration movement, but the British were vigilant in denying entry. Some ships, such as the Struma, sunk and their hundreds of passengers killed.

If you seize too much, you are left with nothing. If you take less, you may retain it (Rosh Hashanah 4b).

Sometimes our appetites are insatiable; more accurately, we act as though they were insatiable. The Midrash states that a person may never be satisfied. "If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred. If he gets two hundred, he wants four hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34). How often have we seen people whose insatiable desire for material wealth resulted in their losing everything, much like the gambler whose constant urge to win results in total loss.

People's bodies are finite, and their actual needs are limited. The endless pursuit for more wealth than they can use is nothing more than an elusive belief that they can live forever (Psalms 49:10).

The one part of us which is indeed infinite is our neshamah (soul), which, being of Divine origin, can crave and achieve infinity and eternity, and such craving is characteristic of spiritual growth.

How strange that we tend to give the body much more than it can possibly handle, and the neshamah so much less than it needs!